THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 257 



the dog without the fee, and volunteered 

 to bleed him. The offer was instantly ac- 

 cepted. We were invited to the keeper's 

 cottage, which was close at hand : 

 the operation was quickly performed, 

 and a prescription given for the benefit 

 of the suffering animal. We were not 

 allowed to depart without drinking some 

 sour cider, and giving a promise of re- 

 turning the following day to see the 

 patient. 



On taking leave, Mr. Croft presented 

 the garde de chasse with a couple of two- 

 franc pieces, telhng him that they were 

 intended as a plaister for each eye, which 

 would make him blind for the season, in 

 the event of our venturing on the pro- 

 perty of the Marquis de , his 



master, on any future occasion. The 

 ready-witted keeper smiled applause, and 

 added, " Avec un pareil empldtre sur la 

 bouche, on m'^empecherait de parler aussi.'^ 



